%0 Journal Article
%T Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of the Temporomandibular Joint in Two Normal Camels
%A Alberto Arencibia
%A Diego Blanco
%A Nelson Gonz芍lez
%A Miguel A. Rivero
%J Anatomy Research International
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/242065
%X Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) image features of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures in two mature dromedary camels were obtained with a third-generation equipment CT and a superconducting magnet RM at 1.5 Tesla. Images were acquired in sagittal and transverse planes. Medical imaging processing with imaging software was applied to obtain postprocessing CT and MR images. Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labelled. The resulting images provided excellent anatomic detail of the TMJ and associated structures. Annotated CT and MR images from this study are intended as an anatomical reference useful in the interpretation for clinical CT and MR imaging studies of the TMJ of the dromedary camels. 1. Introduction The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a synovial condylar joint between the base of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the condylar process of the mandible; its main articular components are the synovial pouches, articular disc, caudal and lateral ligaments, and joint capsule [1]. In veterinary medicine, the exploration of the anatomical structures located in the TMJ and the evaluation of the soft tissues turn out to be laborious due to its complex anatomical organization [2每5], which makes it difficult to diagnose morphological alterations by means of physical exploration and conventional radiographic studies [6每8]. Nowadays, modern image-based diagnostic techniques, especially computed tomography (CT) [9每14], and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [15每21], make possible to obtain body sections from different tomographic planes, achieving images with a good anatomical resolution, high contrast between different structures, and excellent tissue-like differentiation. The applications of CT and MRI have revolutionized the practice of veterinary diagnostic imaging. In large animals, several studies have demonstrated the clinical value of CT and MRI of the TMJ [22每25]. To the author＊s knowledge, there is no published material describing the results of CT and MRI of the mature camel TMJ. An accurate interpretation of the CT and MRI normal anatomy is necessary for the evaluation of pathological tissues. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the normal anatomy of the TMJ of the dromedary camel using CT, MR images, and transverse gross anatomical section. 2. Methods 2.1. Animals Two male mature dromedary camels＊ cadaver heads were used for this study. One was from a 4-year-old (525ˋkg bodyweight) and the other from an 8-year-old (638ˋkg bodyweight) one. Camels were dead
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ari/2012/242065/